Westmoreland category, Page 508
Westmoreland to get $105M in covid relief funds, could use money for capital improvements
Westmoreland commissioners said the county will receive $105.3 million in federal coronavirus relief funds that will be used to fund a variety of needed capital improvements and ultimately negate the need for a tax hike. Commissioners on Thursday formally applied for the money allocated through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue...
Adelphoi Village resident charged as adult by police after assault at Unity home
A 17-year-old resident at an Adelphoi Village home in Unity was charged by state police as an adult in connection with an assault that sent another youth to an area hospital Wednesday. Giovanni Payne, a resident at the Sweeney House on Mission Road, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault,...
Mt. Pleasant Township man accused of shooting windows, standoff with police
A 41-year-old Mt. Pleasant Township man who barricaded himself in his home Wednesday after shooting out windows in his mother’s residence next door was ordered held in the county prison on $50,000 bond. Keith A. Yasher, of Bridgeport Road, was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, reckless endangering...
Job fair scheduled for Live! Casino Pittsburgh ahead of new restaurant opening
Officials with Live! Casino Pittsburgh are hosting a hiring event next week as another restaurant prepares to open at the Hempfield facility. The Monday event will be held in the casino’s recruitment center in Westmoreland Mall. Up to 40 positions are available at PBR Pittsburgh, a country-themed bar and restaurant...
Program cuts an issue in 8-way race for Greensburg Salem School Board
Cuts in programs at Greensburg Salem School District are one of the focal points of a primary campaign where three incumbents and five challengers are battling for four school board seats. Running are incumbents Lynn Jobe, Jeffrey Metrosky and Lynna Thomas along with Sara Deegan, Desmond Grace, Autumn Jevicky, Emily...
2 challengers face 2 incumbents in Greensburg council primary
A pair of Republicans and Democrats are on the ballot Tuesday in a bid for Greensburg city council. Incumbents Gregory Mertz and Donnie Zappone Jr., both Republicans, hope to keep their seats against challenges from newcomers Yukie King and Ceil Kessler, two Democrats who are backed by Voice of Westmoreland,...
4 district judge seats in Westmoreland County have contested primary races this spring
A quarter of Westmoreland County’s 16 district courts will see a new judge in 2022. Eleven candidates are seeking four contested seats on the local courts seeking to replace three retiring judges and fill one seat left vacant by a resignation. Judicial candidates are permitted to cross-file and all will...
Irwin fire chief calls firefighter’s arrest on arson charges ‘beyond disheartening’
Irwin fire Chief Justin Mochar said he told North Huntingdon police about firefighter Shawn Mann’s possible involvement in a suspicious April 27 blaze. Mann, 25, of North Huntingdon was arraigned on charges of arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment filed by township police in connection with the 11:16 p.m. fire...
Covid cases in Pennsylvania, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties continue to slow
Covid cases in Pennsylvania, as well as Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, have continued to slow. The Allegheny County Health Department reported 142 additional cases — 126 confirmed and 16 probable — on Thursday, with the county’s total reaching 99,709. The seven-day average of cases was 168, a 28.5% drop from...
Man charged after North Huntingdon police said they spotted him using drugs while driving on Route 30
An Allegheny County man accused in a drug overdose death was arrested Wednesday in connection with an incident last month during which North Huntingdon police reported seeing him using drugs while driving on Route 30. Cases against Jason Alan Lewis, 45, of Boston, Pa., have been racking up in the...
Be a maker: Westmoreland Museum offers free mosaic, shadowbox art kitsVideo
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will offer free art-making kits to the public as a Community Art Week activity. “Since the Museum has not been able to offer our free monthly in-person Community Days, where we typically presented a variety of art-making activities, we wanted to engage with our...
St. Clair man accused of leading police on chase while his license was suspended
A St. Clair man was arrested Tuesday after township police said he led them on a chase while his license was suspended, according to court papers. Shane Robert Hillegas, 25, is charged with fleeing from police, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and summary traffic offenses. Police were on patrol at 4:30...
Berk’s Menswear, a Westmoreland tradition, offers Father’s Day giveaway
Berk’s Menswear has been in business for over 100 years — still independent and family owned, now in the fourth generation. And the North Huntingdon store keeps up with times, with the latest in fashions and shopping technology. Father’s Day (June 20) is fast approaching. Looking to find the perfect...
Sparks fly between 2 candidates in Greensburg Salem school board race
The vice president of the Greensburg Salem school board and a challenger are verbally sparring before Tuesday’s primary election. Jeffrey Metrosky, the incumbent, is pushing back at campaign materials attributed to Citizens Concerned About Education in Greensburg Salem. The flier endorses challenger Autumn Jevicky while criticizing Metrosky for voting in...
5 Republicans vie for 4 council seats in Trafford primary
When Republican voters in Trafford head to the polls Tuesday for the primary election, they will find a slate of five hopefuls seeking four open seats on borough council. Incumbent Zack Cole is seeking reelection. He will be joined on the ballot by newcomers Justin L. Batzel, Brian M. Lindbloom,...
3 candidates vie to fill vacancy in 59th district special election
Ligonier Democrat Mariah Fisher, Unity Republican Leslie Baum Rossi and Ligonier Libertarian Robb Luther will square off Tuesday in a special election to fill the vacancy in the 59th Legislative District created by the Jan. 2 death of state Rep. Mike Reese. Reese, a 42-year-old Republican rising star from Mt....
Irwin chief emphasizing community policing; add part-time officer
Irwin police have been taking steps to get out of their patrol cars and mingle with residents and will continue to emphasize community policing, the chief said Wednesday. “The community is noticing” those efforts, Chief Dan Wensel told Mayor William Hawley and borough council. When Wensel was promoted to chief...
Airport grants help with Pittsburgh International cargo expansion, Arnold Palmer Regional signs
Pittsburgh International Airport’s cargo amenities and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s passenger terminal got a boost Wednesday from PennDOT grants totaling more than $2.8 million. The bulk of the funding, $2.4 million, will assist the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s plan to develop expanded air cargo facilities at Pittsburgh International, including buildings...
Infant showing ‘signs of improvement’ after falling into 55-gallon fish tank at Murrysville home
A 9-month-old boy showed signs of improvement late last night after falling into a 55-gallon fish tank at a home, Murrysville police said Wednesday. Shortly after 6 p.m., emergency crews responded to the home in the 5200 block of Sardis Road after the infant had been pulled out of the...
North Huntingdon man accused of smuggling 18 heroin stamp bags in his buttocks
A 41-year-old North Huntingdon man was charged by detectives Wednesday after they claim he attempted to smuggle heroin into the county prison by hiding 18 stamp bags in his buttocks. Jeremiah B. Reynolds of Larimer was charged by county Detective James Williams this week with illegal possession of a controlled...
North Huntingdon police accuse Irwin firefighter of setting vacant mobile home fire
An Irwin firefighter is charged with arson after police say he sent a Snapchat message to some fellow firemen alerting them to be ready for a call moments before an abandoned mobile home was set ablaze April 27. Shawn R. Mann, 25, of North Huntingdon was arraigned on charges of...
Allegheny County nears 100,000 covid cases, but at slower pace than rest of year
As Allegheny County draws nearer to reaching the 100,000 mark for covid-19 cases, it’s doing so at a slower pace in May than it has the rest of the year. The Allegheny County Health Department reported 183 additional cases on Wednesday, with the county’s total reaching 99,567. For May, the...
Westmoreland happenings include Election Day luncheon, gun safety class, day camp
Class • Rostraver Sportsmen’s & Conservation Association will offer a gun safety program, “NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting,” 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 539 Cedar Creek Road, Rostraver Township. Reservations required: thepurplegun.com/event or 724-557-5651 Contest • Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is accepting entries for the annual calendar contest. Photographs should...
Summer concert series returning to Hempfield ParkVideo
After being canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic, Hempfield is bringing back its summer concert series. Scheduled to begin May 29, the series will include concerts from several area bands, as well as shows from Greensburg-based Stage Right theater group. The series, which will be subject to covid...
Greater Latrobe to consider tentative 1-mill tax hike, $57.7M budget
Greater Latrobe School District officials have recommended that the school board include a 1-mill property tax hike when it approves a proposed 2021-22 budget at its May 25 meeting. District business administrator Dan Watson suggested the tax increase, to 85 mills, to help cover an expected shortfall of $345,000 in...
